if you were building a commuter bike...

Lumen wrote: »

€1823, 9.5kg, BB7s. Does not compute.

Value for money is a very subjective thing, and bear in mind that I'm comparing it to a (admittedly overpriced) bike with a similar retail value but with some components that appear to be made of cheese.

But even taken in isolation, €1823 for a bike with a titanium frame isn't a bad price. Assuming that the frame proves to be any good, of course, and that its components are at least middle of the road in terms of quality. Possibly some big assumptions in there though.

Lumen wrote: »

edit: the Stork Aernario Disc would be perfect if it had clearances for mudguards and wasn't €6k. I'd even live with Di2. It has through-axles at both ends.

On the topic of through-axles, the new Focus Mares CX has an interesting approach:

The disc version of the Mares CX will feature a clever re-think of the traditional thru-axle, dubbed RAT or Rapid Axle Technology.

The new design replaces the threads normally found on the driveside dropout with a simple slotted insert. The axle itself has a T-shaped pin that fits into this slot and is then turned, locking in place.

The result is a thru-axle that is quicker to engage and disengage than the usual threaded versions, bringing wheel swap times closer to a traditional quick release — removing one of the barriers to a disc brake takeover of cyclocross and road bikes.

It's not exactly a bike that's aimed at the commuter market mind you, but if we're talking Storcks I reckon the thread boundaries have already been widened by quite a bit ...I like Storcks, I hope a Stork will deliver me a Storck some day, as nature intended.

montac wrote: »

I'm wondering if I can piggyback off this thread for some advice?
I have been contemplating getting a CX-type bike to use as a commuter bike. I am looking for something sturdy (I am not light), but not sluggish.

I've looked at the Canyon Inflite AL 8.0 S (http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3201)

and at a Rose Pro DX with Shimano 105 http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-randonneur-2000-2014/aid:721780

I am hoping to occasionally carry my toddler son (2 yrs) in a Hamax seat on the back. Would this be out of the question with either of these two bikes?

Separately, I contacted Canyon about fitting a rear rack - they were quite emphatic that firstly it would not be possible to fit a rear rack, and when I suggested a particular model of rear rack, they told me that I would be voiding all warranty. So, I'm not too hopeful about asking their opinion about a child seat!

I know it is quite a bit more expensive, but I reckon the Rose might meet my needs better - (wheels look stronger, dynamo light...) however, if fitting a child seat is not an option, I think I may mothball this plan for the moment!

Having worked in a bike shop, I'm pretty confident that there are no manufacturers of traditional bikes that would offer a warranty on their bikes if a child seat was fitted. That's not to say that child seats would damage the bike, it's just unlikely they have tested the frame with an additional cantilevered load attached to it from a range of unspecified locations.

I wouldn't worry about it. Nor would I tell them in advance!

montac wrote: »

Thanks



Yeah, I just thought it was a very defensive line from them - kinda took the sheen off their cool brand!

I have an inflite, the one with the ultegra group set, red and black-top of the range one basically. There are eyelets on the frame for mudguards, but I reckon you could probably also use these to fit carriers. I mainly bought it as a winter bike, but one that I could potentially use for commuting and some trail riding. It's a great bike and very versatile, so from a riding perspective, no problem. However, it may be overkill for the purposes you mentioned.

Have you seen oldbean's velo orange?

Pretty sure it has cantis, but it is lovely.

I was close to getting a soma a couple of years ago, very nice in the flesh

lennymc wrote: »

they don't seem to have eyelets.

Ah. I also found a <$1000 Titanium frame with DT bosses. I'm just putting it here for posterity.

http://www.habcycles.com/teamissue.html

lennymc wrote: »

they don't seem to have eyelets.

My "other" race bike is the soma smoothie. Takes shallow drop callipers and full mudguards if you run 25mm or less.
Also has second eyelets for a pannier rack if your coach wants you to suffer more !-)

D!armu!d wrote: »

Weighs in at 12kg with veloce, khamsins & marathon plus on it

Really? IIRC mine is 11 with the Rival, powertap g3 wheel set and mudguards!

D!armu!d wrote: »

You're right - weighed mine properly - 11kg with full length mudguards

I got it about 9kg in race trim. In fact I'd love to race it, but it's too much effort to take off the mudguards when I have a dedicated race bike.

This looks like a good thread to illicit elicit some advice from.
I've accumulated the components necessary for a fast commuter /light touring bike build. (groupset, handbuilt 36H 135 OLN wheels, finishing kit, B17).

I'ld like a bike that I can commute with a rack and pannier(s) and do the odd sportive/ ROK on.
Currently I've a trek 7.5FX hybrid that I changed to dirt drops and bar ends that does the job reasonably well, or should I say I've managed to get by with for the last two years or so. I want to stick with large volume tyres, 28 s or 32s. In terms of fitness ,commute is 30K round trip but I stretch that out to 70 fairly regularly (round blessington lakes).

In the past I had a reynolds 500 Dawes Horizon, maybe its rose tinted glasses but I'ld get a new bike together with the same 'feel' the dawes had (I still have it btw but its far too big for me). I'm 95KG, so bike weight is not a huge factor.

Anyway, I've looked at all the many options within my frame budget of 600 euro which would include,
Surly , Velo Orange Pass Hunter/Campeur, Ribble 525, Genesis Equilibrium, Bob Jackson, hewitt chiltern .
at the moment I'm leaning towards the thorn Audax MK111 or Spa Audax.
I have bar end shifters and long pull brake levers as well as a pair of STIs, so cantis or deep drop road brakes are an option.
bit of an agony of choice I'm afraid.
Any advice would be appreciated, as once I choose I'm married to it for the next few years at least.



Niall

Yep, I saw Oldbeans passhunter in the thread.

I called Tramore cycle services to ask for a price on the frame kits for the pass hunter and campeur, lovely looking bikes by the way.
I think a full tourer would be overkill for the load I usually carry (lunch,shower kit and work clothes) plus from what I've read the handling and ride is better on them under load, had a landrover that was just like that, ride was like a big american car when loaded.

Thank you, I'm very happy with it.

Ah ok - I didn't know there was any dealers here at all!

Freshtripe in the UK have a good stock of VO frames and parts, and I think ParcelMotel still do a month free, could be the best way of doing it. I'm based in Dublin most of the time if you wanted to have a look before deciding either ways. The guys that work for VO are incredibly friendly & knowledgable too, so if you had any queries, shoot them a mail and they get back pretty fast.

OldBean wrote: »

Freshtripe in the UK have a good stock of VO frames and parts, and I think ParcelMotel still do a month free, could be the best way of doing it.

Beware. Parcel Motel are now charging extra for oversize parcels. They're using volumetric weight (dimensions of the parcel determine price) which will make a bike/frame quite pricey...